3. LBB – Learning Languages Behind Bars
A useful tool for teachers and trainers in prison and detention environments
Table of Content | Introduction
Table of content
Unit 1 People, Identity and Nationality............................................................................................................................. 4
Unit 2 Your Space............................................................................................................................................................ 13
Unit 3 Health, religion and culture................................................................................................................................... 24
Unit 4 Living Together...................................................................................................................................................... 33
Unit 5 What Next?............................................................................................................................................................ 43
Introduction
Languages Behind Bars (LBB) is a support tool developed
for European prisons. Targeted at prison administrations
and teachers and trainers in prison, including those
involved in staff development, LBB provides useful material
to help promote better communication in the prison setting,
and ensure that the needs of foreign-national prisoners and
detainees, as well as those of prison staff are addressed in
the best possible way.
This workbook is a response to the lack of context-specific
materials for learning to communicate in prison settings. It
provides a set of learning units designed to meet the com-
munication needs in a prison context, emphasising not only
functional language, but also exposing learners to a culture
of positive interaction in this setting.
Ranging from giving personal information and talking about
nationalities to giving and understanding prison-specific
instructions and discussing rights and obligations in prison,
the content of the workbook can be presented either as a
practical tool for aiding communication in prisons, or as an
integrated part of broader language-learning curricula in
the prison classroom or in staff-training contexts. Learners
are encouraged to use the book to note down translations in
their own language, to keep a record of words and phrases
for practical reference.
The workbook can be used in various contexts; as a tool
in the classroom in the prison or detention centre, as a
reference resource for prison staff in professional training
programmes, and for self-learning. However, there is no re-
quirement to follow the structure of the book. Teachers and
trainers can choose to structure their courses around the
content of the workbook, but can equally select individual
sections and activities within the workbook to support and
complement their existing education and communication
programmes. In this way, the LBB materials needn’t replace
existing tools and programmes, but can help to provide
context and specific content to teachers’ and trainers’ own
portfolio of materials.
This workbook can be used in conjunction with flash-cards,
visual dialogue builders and audio practice material.
These tools – along with a trainers’ guide and information
on an accredited trainers’ course – are all available through
the LBB website www.lbb-project.eu.
www.lbb-project.eu 3
4. Unit 1 People, Identity and Nationality
Hello. I am Officer
Michalski. What is
your name?
My name is
Johann Erkens.
Who said these phrases? Is it the officer or the
detainee?
………………… …………………
……………………
……………………
officer
detainee
Where are the officers? Where is the detainee?
Where is the bag?
Look at the picture. Say what you see.
Introduce yourself.
Politeness and basic greetings.
Talk about people and nationalities.
Identify some basic personal objects.
Hello. I am Officer
Michalski. What is
your name?
My name is
Johann Erkens.
Mr Erkens,
where are
you from?
I am from
Germany. I
speak German.
Thank you. Now, please
can I have your passport
and your driving license?
I don’t have a driving license…
What
language do
you speak?
4
5. Unit 1 People, Identity and Nationality
Mr Erkens,
where are
you from?
I am from
Germany.
I speak German.
Which countries are these? Can you find your national flag? Can you find people from these countries?
I am from: ………………
I speak: ………………
Are you
from …………… ?
John is from Germany.
He speaks German.
Where are you
from?
What language
do you speak?
What
language do
you speak?
Leila is from Portugal.
She speaks Portuguese.
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6. Unit 1 People, Identity and Nationality
Please
this form.
I don’t
understand!
6
7. Unit 1 People, Identity and Nationality
Please follow me.
Please go to
your cell.
Everything is OK!
Please help me!
Please wait
here.
I don‘t
understand.
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8. Unit 1 People, Identity and Nationality
Please look at these pictures. What do you see? No.
Can I keep my
mobile phone,
please?
Your mobile
phone is not
permitted.
Which personal items are
not permitted?
Which personal items are
permitted?
wallet money passport
keys mobile phone ID card
cigarettes and lighter books
driving license court documents
My ……… is
permitted.
Your ……… is
not permitted.
8
9. Unit 1 People, Identity and Nationality
What other personal items do you have?
cigarettes ……………………
lighter ……………………
books ……………………
driving license ……………………
court documents ……………………
wallet ……………………
money ……………………
passport ……………………
keys ……………………
mobile phone ……………………
Please can I keep
my ………?
No, your … is
not permitted.
Yes, your …
is permitted.
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10. Unit 1 People, Identity and Nationality
officer
teacher
doctor
social worker
lawyer
detainee
immigration officer
cellmate
Here are some people from the prison.
Who could they be?
Who are
you?
I am a
detainee.
I am an
officer.
10
11. Unit 1 People, Identity and Nationality
lawyer ……………………
detainee ……………………
immigration officer ……………………
cellmate ……………………
officer ……………………
teacher ……………………
doctor ……………………
social worker ……………………
Please look at the pictures. Say what you see.
………………………
………………………
please
thank you
empty your
pockets.
OK!
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12. Unit 1 People, Identity and Nationality
Please fill out the crossword.
Across
3. Please … me!!
6. I don’t …
9. Where are you …?
11. … you for your help.
13. My … is Johann.
14. Please … me.
15. I am … Michalski.
16. I … German.
17. Please … here.
Down
1. … is your name?
2. He is my …
4. Your cigarettes are …
5. What … do you speak?
7. I am a … worker.
8. I … a teacher.
9. Please …-… this form.
10. Go to your …
12. Can I … my mobile phone please?
15. Everything is …!
18. She … from Portugal.
12
13. Unit 2 Your Space
Please circle the items that you can see in
the pictures:
cupboard toilet bag
shelf mobile phone
books bed mop
Please look at the pictures. Say what you see.
Is this my cell?
Who said these phrases? Is it
the officer or the detainee?
This is your cell.
Is this my bed?
This is your bed.
Talk about everyday items, places and activities.
Ask where things are.
Understand instructions.
Make basic requests.
You will be taken to
your
Am I alone in the
cell?
Yes you will be in a
Is this my cell
Yes. This is
your cell.
Here is
your bed.
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14. Unit 2 Your Space
Please match the places
with the numbers:
laundry room …
wing …
wing office …
washroom …
dining room …
cell …
kitchen …
workshop …
chaplaincy …
visits hall …
14
16. Unit 2 Your Space
4. Everyday Activities
I in the I in the
I
at the
eat
sleep
cook
read
work
wash clothes
take a shower
make a phone call
play football
learn
pray
get medicine
yard laundry room
library workshop cell
washroom chaplaincy
dining room classroom
hospital wing kitchen
phone booth
Please match the activities with the places.
16
17. Unit 2 Your Space
……………………single cell
……………………shared cell
……………………cellmate
Am I alone
in the cell?
, you will be
in a
You will have
a
5. In the cell
eat ……………………
sleep ……………………
cook ……………………
read ……………………
work ……………………
wash clothes ……………………
take a shower ……………………
make a phone call ……………………
play football ……………………
learn ……………………
pray ……………………
get medicine ……………………
, you will be
in a
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18. Unit 2 Your Space
Are you in a
?
Yes, I’m in a
And you? Are
you in a single cell?
No. I’m in a shared cell.
I have a ............
Please complete the dialogue:
toilet ...
cigarettes ...
wash cloth ...
bed ...
books ...
cupboard ...
bedding ...
mobile phone ...
newspaper ...
computer ...
towel ...
clothes ...
Please match these items to the
pictures on the next page:
6. Items and Furniture
18
19. Unit 2 Your Space
cigarettes ……………………
toilet ……………………
wash cloth ……………………
bed ……………………
books ……………………
cupboard ……………………
bedding ……………………
mobile phone ……………………
newspaper ……………………
computer ……………………
towel ……………………
clothes ……………………
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20. Unit 2 Your Space
…………………………………………
What do the guards say?
20
21. Unit 2 Your Space
Please match the pictures with the questions.
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22. Unit 2 Your Space
Please write what you can do, and write what you can’t do.
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
………………………………………………
………………………………………………
………………………………………………
………………………………………………
………………………………………………
22
23. Unit 2 Your Space
Please fill out the crossward.
Across
2. This is my…
4. Can I … a letter?
6. I get medicine in the … wing.
11. I … in the dining room.
12. I can’t … on the wing.
13. Can I … a shower in my cell?
14. I … in the cell.
16. I wash … in the laundry room.
17. I play football in the …
Down
1. I learn in the …
3. I cook in the …
4. I … in the workshop.
5. Can I … a newspaper?
7. I … in the chaplaincy.
8. This is … washroom.
9. I read in the …
10. Can I go to the … hall?
12. I am not in a single cell, I am in a … cell.
15. I make a … call at the phone booth.
16. I … do education or training.
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24. Unit 3 Health, religion and culture
Please match the words with the parts of the body.
Talk about illnesses and emergencies.
Understand doctor’s instructions.
Talk about religion, prayer and religious needs.
24
25. Unit 3 Health, religion and culture
Please look at these health problems.
Are they emergencies?
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
………………………………
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27. Unit 3 Health, religion and culture
What does the doctor say? Please match the speech bubbles with the pictures.
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28. Unit 3 Health, religion and culture
Do you have a religion?
Can you find your religion here?
………………
………………
Please complete the sentences.
Le pasteur
28
29. Unit 3 Health, religion and culture
……… ……………
Please complete the sentences.
religion ……………………
pray ……………………
Hindu ……………………
Buddhist ……………………
Christian ……………………
Jewish ……………………
Muslim ……………………
Sikh ……………………
pastor ……………………
imam ……………………
rabbi ……………………
chaplaincy ……………………
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30. Unit 3 Health, religion and culture
Please complete the sentences.
………… …………
Who reads these religious texts? Please complete the questions
………
………
30
31. Unit 3 Health, religion and culture
Do you have religious dietary needs?
……………
……………
……………
dietary needs ……………………
pork ……………………
beef ……………………
eggs ……………………
Halal food ……………………
Kosher food ……………………
fast ……………………
Ramadan ……………………
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32. Unit 3 Health, religion and culture
Please fill out the crossword.
Across
1. The … is here on Sunday.
2. Let’s take your … pressure.
4. Do you have a head…?
5. Do you have a … ache?
7. Please can we pray in the …?
9. Here is some …
11. Help! It’s an …
12. Can I please read a …?
17. Do you have … pains?
18. Let’s take your …
19. Please can I … during Ramadan?
20. Do you … to see a doctor?
Down
1. … can I speak to somebody about my
religion?
3. Do you have any religious … /…?
6. Do you have …?
8. Does it … here?
10. I … eat pork?
13. What is your …?
14. Do you need to …?
15. Please can I … to the imam?
16. Do you want to … a Bible?
32
33. Unit 4 Living Together
Do you do any of these activities? Please tick the boxes.
see visitors
buy things
earn money
borrow books
do education and training
do sport
clean the cell
pray
write letters
do work
eat lunch
Please find the words for these activities.
Talk about activities in the prison
Ask about education and training
Ask about contact with the outside world
Understand rules and sanctions
Am I allowed to
write a letter
to my family?
Yes, you are
allowed to write
a letter to your
family.
Am I allowed
to send
emails?
No. You are not
allowed to send
emails!
Unit 4 Living Together
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34. Unit 4 Living Together
Yes, you are allowed to do
education and training.
Am I allowed to
send emails?
No, you are
not allowed to
send emails!
Which activities can you do? What activities can you not do?
2. Activities
Am I allowed to do
education and training?
No, you are not allowed to
……………………………
Yes, you are allowed to
……………………………
………. you are ………………
to …………………………………
…………………………………………
…………………………………………
…………………………………………
Am I allowed to
……………………………?
Am I allowed to
……………………………?
Am I allowed to
……………………………?
Am I allowed to
……………………………?
In my own language:
see visitors ……………………
buy things ……………………
earn money ……………………
borrow books ……………………
do education and training ……………………
clean the cell ……………………
pray ……………………
write letters ……………………
do work ……………………
eat lunch ……………………
do sport ……………………
34
35. Unit 4 Living Together
kitchen3. Jobs in the prison
Please complete the dialogue using the words in the box.
What can I do in the
prison?
You can work in the kitchen,
or in the ……………… or as a
………………
I would like to
work in the
………………
I am a good chef!
cleaner
laundry
What work can you do? Tick the jobs that you can do in your prison.
Please match the pictures to the sentences.
I can work as
a gardener.
I can work in
the laundry.
I can work in
the kitchen.
I can work in
the workshop.
I can work as
a cleaner.
gardener ……………………
laundry ……………………
kitchen ……………………
workshop ……………………
cleaner ……………………
I can work ……………………
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36. Unit 4 Living Together
What
can I do?
You can do
.
You can learn
,
or
.
Please can I learn
………………………… ?
Please can I learn
………………………… ?
Please can I learn
………………………… ?
What do these people want to learn?
4. Vocational Training 5. Education
You can also
learn other
subjects.
You can learn
English, Art,
Music, Basic
skills or I.T.
What can you learn in the prison?
vocational training ……………………
gardening ……………………
woodwork ……………………
painting ……………………
subject ……………………
basic skills ……………………
36
37. Unit 4 Living Together
6. Earning money
Will I
for in the
prison?
Will I
for doing
?
Yes, I earn money for
……………………………………
Do you earn money for work, education and training in the
prison?
No, I don’t earn money
for ……………………………………
You ………………………………………
………………………………………………
………………………………………………
What do you need to write a letter?
Please use the words in the box.
7. Contact with the outside world
Please can I contact
my family?
Yes, you can make a phone
call or you can write a
letter to your family.
But I
need
some
……………
And I
need a
………
And I
need some
……………
pen stamps
paper
Please match the picture with the sentence.
You can write a
letter to your
family.
1. Can I make a
phone call?
2.
You are not
allowed to send
emails.
3.
pppppeeeenn sssttttaaaammppssss
ppppaaaappppeeerrr
pen stamps
paper
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38. Unit 4 Living Together
8. Visits
I want to
see my wife.
... and I want to
see my girlfriend.
We need to ask
for a
I want to see
my wife, and
my cellmate
wants to see
his girlfriend.
Please can I
have a
Yes, here is a
Please fill it out.
Who are these visitors? Please select the words from
the box below.
family
social worker
consular representative
lawyerfamily
Please complete the requests.
Please can I see my
f………………?
Please can I see my
l………………?
Please can I see a
c……………………………………?
Please can I see a
s……………………………………?
38
39. Unit 4 Living Together
pen …………………
paper …………………
stamps …………………
contact my family …………………
visiting order …………………
family …………………
social worker …………………
lawyer …………………
consular representative …………………
9. Prison Rules
Please complete the dialogue.
What is happening to
Bobby?
Bobby broke the
.
He is being
punished.
What are the
prison …………?
Please match the words with the pictures.
escape
be punctual
threaten somebody
make your bed
wash yourself
keep your cell clean
provoke somebody
behave
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40. Unit 4 Living Together
What are the prison rules? Please write what you must do in the prison.
Please write what you must not do in the prison.
You must ………………………………………………………………
You must ………………………………………………………………
You must ………………………………………………………………
You must ………………………………………………………………
You must ………………………………………………………………
You must not ………………………………………………………
You must not ………………………………………………………
You must not ………………………………………………………
You must not ………………………………………………………
You must not ………………………………………………………
you must not escape ……………………
you must behave ……………………
provoke somebody ……………………
be punctual ……………………
make your bed ……………………
wash yourself ……………………
threaten somebody ……………………
keep your cell clean ……………………
40
41. Unit 4 Living Together
10. Sanctions and privileges
Please look at the pictures. Which picture does not show a sanction?
Please match the sanctions with the pictures.
You will receive
a fine.
You will be
reprimanded.
You will be held
in solitary
confinement.
Please write what privileges you can earn
in the prison.
sanction …………………………
receive a fine …………………………
be held in solitary
confinement …………………………
be reprimanded ……………………
earn privileges ……………………
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42. Unit 4 Living Together
11. Review
Please fill out the crossword.
Across
2. Please can I see my … ?
4. You will be held in … confinement.
7. You can write a … to your family.
9. Please can I see a … representative?
11. Will I … money for work in the prison?
14. You must be …
15. If you break the prison rules you will be …
17. I can work as a ….
18. I want to see me wife. Please can I have
a … / …
20. Please can I … woodwork?
21. If you behave you can earn …
Down
1. You … / … escape.
3. What … can I do in the prison?
5. You must not … somebody.
6. You must …
8. You can work in the ….
10. I can learn basic …
12. I can work in the …
13. You will receive a …
16. I want to write a letter, but I need
some …
19. You must not break the prison …
42
43. Unit 5 What Next?
Communicate on the topic of release
Ask about probation and social support
Talk about work and accommodation
Understand the topic of deportation
1. Introduction
What is the missing word? Please find the word
using the letters in the box.
I have some good
news for you.
You are That is good
news!
What will happen
when I am ?
Please can I see my
?
You are due
to be
………………………
Your will help you
to find and .
r
e
l
e
a
s
e
d
When will I be
………………………?
What will happen when I
am ………………………?
2. Preparing for release
What should you do when you prepare for release?
Please match the pictures with the sentences.
You should find
suitable clothes.
You should transfer
money from your
prison account.
You should collect
your personal
belongings.
You should inform
your family.
You should have a
medical examination.
Unit 5 What Next?
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44. Unit 5 What Next?
3. Questions about your release
Please complete the questions using the words from the box.
release social accommodation
support officer job
Will I get
financial
………………?
Where will I
work? I have no
……………………
Please can I speak
to my probation
……………… ?
Please can I see
my
……………… worker?
Where will I
live? I have no
……………………
Do you have any questions
about your …………………?
Please complete the questions using the words from the box.
How can I ………………………
my social worker?
When can I
……………………… my
probation officer?
Do I have to
……………………… to the
police station?
see
contact
report
44
45. Unit 5 What Next?
What can you do after you are released?
Please match the pictures with the activities.
find accommodation
see my family
do education and training
find a job
earn some money
Which picture shows an electronic tag?
You will receive
financial
support.
You will be
deported to your
home country.
Please match the pictures with the sentences.
You will wear an
electronic tag.
release
due to be released
you should inform
your family
transfer money
from your prison
account
find suitable
clothes
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
collect your
personal
belongings
have a medical
examination
financial support
social worker
probation officer
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
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46. Unit 5 What Next?
I can live in
emergency
housing.
4. Accommodation
Which accommodation possibilities are available to you? Please circle your choices.
I can live in a
halfway house.
I can live in
private housing.
I can live in
social housing.
I can live
with family.
I can live with
friends.
Can I live in
emergency
housing?
Yes you
can ...
No, you
can't ...
Please write some questions about accommodation possibilities.
Can I …………………………………………………………………………?
Can I …………………………………………………………………………?
Can I …………………………………………………………………………?
Can I …………………………………………………………………………?
Can I …………………………………………………………………………?
wear an electronic
tag
be deported
find
accommodation
see my family
do education
and training
find a job
earn some
money
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
46
47. Unit 5 What Next?
You have to € 200
every month.
Where will I …………? I
have no accommodation.
Don’t worry.
We have
found a …………
for you.
Thank you.
How much
does it
……………?
Please read this short dialogue, and fill in the missing words from the box.
flat
rent
live
cost
emergency housing
halfway house
live with family
live with friends
private housing
social housing
flat
rent
How much does it
cost?
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
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48. Unit 5 What Next?
5. Work and interviews
Will I have a …………?
I will help you to
find a ……………
And I will help you
to prepare for a
…………… interview.
Please read this dialogue. Which word is missing in each sentence?
What do you need to know about work?
Please match the questions and the responses.
How much
money will I
earn?
Where is the
job?
Is it a full-
time job?
What will I
do?
When can I
start?
No, it is a
part-time
job.
You will work
as a
gardener.
Next week.
€ 50 per day.
It is near to
your flat.
48
49. Unit 5 What Next?
6. Certificates and qualifications
Please can I have a
for my
………………… and
training?
Yes, you can take your
when you
are …………………
Please read the dialogue and complete the missing
words from the box.
I want to take my
to my
job ………………
What is a certificate? Choose from the pictures below.
education
interview released
Please read the dialogue. What does the guard answer? Please select the answer from below.
You are due to be released.
You can take your
certificate when you are
released.
I will help you to prepare
for a job interview.
Yes, here is your
certificate. Good luck for
the future!
Here are your
personal
belongings.
Thank you.
Please can I have a
certificate for my
education and training? Thank you.
Full-time job
Part-time job
How much money will I
earn?
What work will I do?
When can I start?
Please can I have a
certificate?
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
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50. Unit 5 What Next?
7. Deportation
Please read these two dialogues.
What will happen
when I am ?
Dialogue 1
You will be
.
What will happen
when I am ?
Dialogue 2
You will be
.
Now please look at these pictures. Can you match them
to the dialogues? Please complete the sentences.
I am being
…………………………………………………
…………………………………………………
…………………………………………………
I am being
…………………………………………………
…………………………………………………
…………………………………………………
I will be
You should contact your
embassy.
What should I do?
You should speak to a
consular representative.
Please can I
contact my
……………………………?
Please can I
speak to a
……………………………?
Please complete the requests.
released into the
community
deported to your
home country
contact my
embassy
consular
representative
…………………
…………………
…………………
…………………
50
51. Unit 5 What Next?
8. Review
Please fill out the crossword.
Across
1. Your … / … will help you to find work.
7. I can live in private …
9. Where will I live? I have no …
11. You should … money from your prison
account.
13. I will help you to prepare for a job …
15. You are due to be …
17. I can … in social housing.
19. You will be … to your home country.
20. You should … your personal belongings.
21. I can live with family or …
22. You should contact your …
23. You will wear an … / …
Down
2. I will be released into the …
3. Please can I … to my probation officer?
4. You have to pay € 200 … every month.
5. I can live in a … / …
6. Where will I work? I have no …
8. You … inform your family.
10. Please can I have a … for my education?
12. Do I have to … to the police station?
14. I can live in … housing.
16. Will I get financial …?
18. You should find suitable …
www.lbb-project.eu 51
52. This project has been funded with support from the
European Commission (Reference:
52738-LLP-1-2012-1-AT-GRUNDTVIG-GMP). This
publication reflects the views only of the author,
and the Commission cannot be held responsible
for any use which may be made of the information
contained therein.
